The Exchange Update | January 2026

At the end of 2025 we asked for your support for our efforts to get Community Scale Composting happening at the Exchange. We are grateful to everyone who donated—and we have raised over $35,000 as of this writing! That’s more than 10 percent of our $250,000 goal. We will continue the effort through 2026, and perhaps beyond. To stay informed about our progress, fundraising and grant writing, visit us here. We will keep you up to date!

Spring Mulch is Coming!

The Exchange’s famous Zerowaste Mulch will be back for your gardening pleasure this spring. We are currently grinding our MONSTER pile of green waste, with the help of our pals Charlie Nigretto and Bill Hamel. We should be through the pile, and warming up some killer mulch for sale in March. Stay Tuned!

Wanted: Student Intern Docents!

We are looking for young people who care about the environment to become Intern Docents at the Z-wall! Help educate the island on best practices while receiving community service credits. Learn more…

Aluminum in the Spotlight

Aluminum beverage cans have real value as a recycled item – made with single-source aluminum, they can be infinitely recycled and are worth from 40 to 70 cents per pound. Cat food cans, on the other hand, are only worth around 15 cents per pound. Learn more about the importance of separating these two items at the Z-wall.

Product Highlight

NATURAL SPONGES AND LOOFAHS offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials, as they are biodegradable, renewable, and sustainably harvested. Most natural sponges and loofahs are free from harsh chemicals and plastics, helping reduce environmental impact while providing effective, long-lasting performance.